Worcester Sun, July 24-30: In this issue

Clockwise from top left, Caitlyn Depres, Louisa Odonkor, Quinten Petrallo and Ayeisa Tejada Pena, city of Worcester YouthWorks employees at Out to Lunch.

Sun Shine: YouthWorks building skills, pride in young people | For teens and young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds, YouthWorks — a mostly state-funded collaboration backed locally by Worcester Community Action Council and partners — provides more than something for them to do over the summer. It’s a stepping stone to the future. “What Worcester is doing is terrific,” said Anne Berrigan, a program administrator. “YouthWorks is one of the best kept secrets in your town.” Not for long! Alex L. Khan takes an in-depth look at what’s working for these Worcester youths.

At Worcester park, cricket offers a slice of home for first-generation immigrants | The Willow Geeks, who use Holmes Field on Plantation Street as their home grounds, are one of more than 20 local teams that compete in the New England Cricket Association (NECA) league and tournament every year. “It feels really nice to play (cricket) here,” said Aadeesh Shringarpure, a 23-year-old graduate student in electrical engineering. “I love living in America, but this was the thing that was missing for me.” Joe Parello has the story in the first installment of our new series, The Wide Woo of Sports, seeking out and exploring sporting endeavors a bit off the beaten path.

Editorial: Time for a tuneup on Worcester parking | Worcester has enough parking spaces, but isn’t charging enough for them in some cases, the Worcester Regional Research Bureau says. Money is needed for maintenance and modernization. Meanwhile, the way parking is governed could be streamlined. That sounds like a lot, but remember: Parking is basic. It’s boring. We can do this. The city needs to proceed cautiously, and keep its eyes on what’s best for the customer.

Sun Spots with Hitch [Vol. 78]: Sarai Rivera’s happy place | So, we hear the City Council had some fun last week. Forget about timely, substantive debate on improving services, coping with gun violence/rights and diversity or better financially supporting city students. Nope, they all followed Rabblerouser Gaffney down the rabbit hole of first amendment debate — and, boy, did Councilor Rivera ever take the cheese! Incensed by material Gaffney submitted that contained vulgar references, the Main South councilor even gave everyone an update on the birds and the bees. Hitch, for one, was fascinated.

Wikimedia Commons

While the RNC descended on Cleveland, Sinacola pondered the political future in Northern Ohio.

Sina-cism: The road beyond the Forest City | “We passed Kiffer Industries, a specialty machinery company, and stopped for dinner at a Chili’s just off the John Glenn Highway. The Indians had taken an early lead on the Royals in Kansas City. Our greeter’s T-shirt offered three choices: Republican Party, Democratic Party, Margarita Party. Only the last was checked.” A business trip in the shadow of the RNC and Cleveland provides ample time for some reflection by Sinacola.

State House News Service / file

Maura Healey, surrounded by supporters at an announcement last year, is now surrounded by controversy after her “copycat gun” initiative came to light last week.

On Beacon Hill: Worcester-based gun rights leader has harsh words for Healey ‘copycat’ ban | “This is like the day of infamy for Maura Healey. She’s going to awaken the sleeping giant of gun owners in Massachusetts. There’s nearly half a million of us in Massachusetts — Republican, Democrat and Independent — and she’s really woken up a sleeping giant, and her chances of getting elected governor or keeping her office could be over,” said Christopher Pinto, Worcester-based leader of a statewide gun rights organization. Maybe you want to see what else he had to say …

2016 Presidential Election

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The DNC is in Philadelphia this week, and the Bay State will be well represented.

Mass. Democratic operatives to play key roles at Philadelphia’s DNC this week | “Massachusetts exports two great things: Cranberries and political hacks,” said Stephen Kerrigan, CEO of the Democratic National Convention in 2012 and lieutenant governor candidate in 2014. A peek behind the curtain, indeed, reveals a strong Bay State influence on the machinations that will lead to Hillary Clinton’s official ascension to presidential nominee at this week’s convention.

Courtesy Anna Maria College

Davenport

Inbox [July 24]: Worcester turns up drought watch, Anna Maria taps VP, Worcester ranks low for first-time homebuyers, more I-290 detours this week | Interesting and worthwhile things happen every day in our community. Alas, we can’t cover them all. That’s where Inbox comes in, to offer readers an easily digestible compilation of interesting and noteworthy items you and your neighbors keep telling us about. Have a release or a photo you or your group would like to share? Let us know by emailing it to info@worcester.ma. Be sure to include a link to the full release on your site or Facebook page so we can include it and send Sun members your way.

Worcester Weekly: ‘Shrek the Musical’ + 4 more things to do, July 24-30 | This is no joke, folks: parents paid more than $800 to get their talented youngsters out of the house, er I mean, on the stage and in the spotlight. And Hanover lines up a number of well-respected instructors and performers to guide the aspiring Jennifer Lawrences and Leonardo DiCaprios. Plus there’s the Bravehearts starting their stretch run, City Hall history, nature at the park … and spiders. Don’t be afraid, jump right in!

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